Panty hose with body bulge control

Abstract

The body bulge controlling portion of the panty hose has elastic yarn incorporated therein to provide a medium amount of compressive force against the body of the wearer and is positioned between portions of the panty hose having a relatively great amount of compressive force and a relatively small amount of compressive force. The compressive force against the body is thereby varied in a stepped or gradual manner so as to eliminate or minimize the abrupt outward bulging of the underlying portion of the body of the wearer. In one embodiment of the panty hose, the body bulge controlling portion is positioned between a panty girdle portion with a great amount of compressive force and the sheer legs which include very little if any compressive force. In another embodiment, the bulge controlling portion is positioned between the elastic waistband and the upper portion of the panty of the panty hose.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a panty hose type garment including certain portions with elastic yarn in an amount sufficient to provide a relatively great amount of compressive force against the underlying portion of the body of the wearer, and other portions normally joined directly to said certain portions and being knit solely of stretchable yarn to provide a relatively small amount of compressive force against the underlying portion of the body of the wearer, the combination therewith of a body bulge controlling intermediate portion positioned between and interconnecting said certain and said other portions, said intermediate portion being knit of stretchable yarn with elastic yarn incorporated in spaced-apart courses and providing a lesser amount of elastic yarn in said intermediate portion than the amount of elastic yarn provided in said certain portions to provide a medium amount of compressive force against the portion of the body of the wearer underlying said intermediate portion, said successive great, medium, and small amounts of compressive forces applied by said corresponding certain, intermediate, and other portions of said garment thereby applying a gradually varying amount of compressive force against the underlying portion of the body to prevent an abrupt outward bulging of the corresponding portion of the body of the wearer. 
     
     
       2. A panty hose type garment according to claim 1 wherein said certain portions comprise a panty portion, wherein said other portions comprise the lower portions of a pair of legs sewn at their upper ends to said panty portion, and wherein said intermediate portion comprises the upper portions of said legs positioned adjacent the sewn connection with said panty portion. 
     
     
       3. A panty hose type garment according to claim 2 wherein said elastic yarn is incorporated in every course of said panty portion, and wherein said upper portion of said legs each comprise first and second sections, said first section being positioned between said panty portion and said second section and including elastic yarn incorporated in every other course, and said second section being positioned between said first section and said leg and including elastic yarn incorporated in every fourth course. 
     
     
       4. A panty hose type garment according to claim 1 wherein said certain portions comprise a panty portion formed of the upper portions of a pair of longitudinally slit and seamed together elongated stocking blanks, wherein said other portions comprise the lower portions of a pair of depending legs integrally knit with said panty portion, and wherein said intermediate portion comprises the upper portions of said legs positioned adjacent said panty portion. 
     
     
       5. A panty hose type garment according to claim 4 wherein said elastic yarn is incorporated in every course of said panty portion, and wherein said elastic yarn is incorporated in every other course throughout at least a portion of said intermediate portion. 
     
     
       6. A panty hose type garment according to claim 1 including a panty portion with an upper waist opening, a waistband surrounding said waist opening, and a pair of legs depending from said panty portion, wherein said waistband comprises said certain portions, and wherein said intermediate portion comprises the upper portion of said panty portion positioned adjacent said waistband. 
     
     
       7. A panty hose type garment according to claim 6 wherein said elastic yarn is incorporated in every course of said waistband, and wherein said elastic yarn is incorporated in every other course throughout at least a portion of said intermediate portion.